Washing a kit with REALLY hard well water help

nanook177 · Post by **nanook177** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 4:06 pm

I live out in the middle of nowhere and we are on a well. The water is harder than granite and almost always feels like there is residue after washing dishes or stepping out of the shower. I know you should wash a model kit before construction to get any oils off, but using my water I'm afraid I'll trade one problem for another. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Scott Hasty · Post by **Scott Hasty** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 4:33 pm

This may be heresy to some, but I've never washed commercially mass-produced styrene kits and I've never had a problem with paint adhesion. If you feel you should wash, I suggest buying distilled water from your market and use that.

flyfort17 · Post by **flyfort17** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:03 pm

I've never washed a plastic kit. Before I paint a model I will wipe it down with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol, just to get the oils from my fingers off.

Big Game Nerd · Post by **Big Game Nerd** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:05 am

If nothing else, boiling your water first should do the trick.
Steve

karim · Post by **karim** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 3:07 pm

Distilled Water?

Ziz · Post by **Ziz** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 3:58 pm

Since I wet sand most of my putty work, I find the kit ends up getting naturally washed as part of the sanding process.

Glorfindel · Post by **Glorfindel** » Tue Mar 27, 2012 8:56 pm

I'm going to suggest a guess and maybe someone else with more knowledge then I, which is most people, can correct me if I'm wrong. Try wiping the model down with a cotton ball and 90% rubbing alcohol before assembly or painting. This should help break down any mold release and clean the plastic up making for better joins and paint adhesion. It should also lift up any dust from sanding and take out unwanted finger prints. Not that there is anything wrong with your fingerprints...I'm sure their beautiful. I'm sure they look fantastic at the local Police Department.